Reversible impact driving screw driver and functional elements thereof



` nary screwdriver.

Patented May 19,l 1953 OFFICE REVERSIBLE IMPACT DRIVING SCREW DRIVER AND FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS THEREOF James F. Spielman, Torrington, Conn.

Application May 2, 1952, Serial No. 285,743

4 Claims. l

. The invention brings forth a new screwdriver which transmits an impact of an object upon its handle to a rotative impulse of its working blade. The screwdriver may be adjusted to transmit an impact of an object upon its handle to a rotative impulse of its working blade in either direction of rotation. Thus a reversible impact driving screwdriver is defined.

The invention is additionally adjustable for use as an ordinary screwdriver.

rI'he invention brings to light a new screwdriver with which fastening screws may be tightened securely and with which tight screws may be easily loosened. In the following description, referring to the accompanying drawing, an unusual method of `operation for accomplishing these functions will become apparent.

An ordinary screwdriver comprises merely a handle, or body, and a Working blade. Numerous types of fastening screw heads and screwdriverworking blades exist. Therefore, a "screw will herein be interpreted to mean any screwing fastener having any type head for engagement with a screwdriver working blade; a working blade will herein be interpreted to mean any member projecting from the body of a screwdriver embodying the invention for the purpose of engaging a screwing fastener.

The primary object of the invention is to `provide a new screwdriver which will transmit an impact of an object upon its handle to a rotative impulse of its working blade, which is adjustable for operation in either direction of rotation, and which is further adjustable for use as an ordi- A further object of the invention is to provide a design of the invention involving a minimum of parts which operate with maximum eiciency. The fulfillment of` the foregoing objects becomes apparent in the following description of opening at one end thereof, wherein a tubular ad-` justing sleeve 6 is rotatably carried. The adjusting sleeve 6 may embody a finger flange l ona portion projecting from the body for manual adjustment by the ngers. The adjusting sleeve E, in the illustrated form of the invention, contains a pair of diametrically disposed, peripherally extending adjustment slots 8 and 9 through the wall thereof; and the adjustment slots 8 and 9 each comprise three setting notches in the outward-facing longitudinal sides thereof.

An impact sleeve III is shown press-fitted into the adjusting sleeve 6, thereby being operatively `non-slidable and non-rotatable in respect to the adjusting sleeve 6. The impact sleeve III diminishes symmetrically from two diametrically opposite points thereon to the outward-facing end thereof, whereby to provide two diametrically opposite guide points I I and I2, and whereby to provide a plan (see Fig. 2) of four angular inclines (I3 and an unreferenced diametrical cooperating opposite) and (I4 and an unreferenced diametrical cooperating opposite). Thus, when Fig. 2 especially is observed, the screwdriver is seen to be symmetrical about a vertical center line.

A centering sleeve I5 corresponds with the impact sleeve IIJ in that it contains four inward-facing angular inclines (I6 and an unreferenced diametrical cooperating opposite) and (Il and an unreferenced diametrical cooperating opposite), loosely meshing with the impact sleeve III. Space for a degree of rotation of the impact sleeve I0 in either direction relative to the centering sleeve I5 is provided.

A pair of aligned retaining pins 2| and 22 pass from the body 5 diametrically through 'the adjusting sleeve E into the adjustment slots 8 and 9, and iix the body 5 with the centering sleeve I5. The adjusting sleeve 6 is rotatably mounted relative to the centering sleeve I5.

A drive piston I8 is slidably and rotatably mounted in the centering sleeve I5 and the impact sleeve I0. A type of screwdriver Working blade 23 is fixed in and projects outwardly from the radial center of the drive piston I8.

A drive pin I8 passes diametrically through the drive piston I8 and engages a pair of drive pin receiving normal notches 20 and 25 at the nearest inward-facing end of the centering sleeve I5.

A compression spring 24 is compressed between an abutment at the inward-facing end of the impact sleeve I0 and drive piston I8. The spring 24 urges the drive piston I8 outward and urges the adjusting sleeve B inward, engaging the retaining pins 2| and 22 against the setting notches in `the adjustment slots 8 and 9.

The plan of operation is readily seen when Figs. 2 and 3 are observed. As seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the invention may be applied as an ordinary screwdriver, in that the working` blade 23 may be engaged with a type of screw (not shown) and rotated manually by the body 5 to turn the screw.

The drive pin I9 is retained in the normal notches 20 and 25 by the guide points I I and I2, mechanically xing the working blade 23 with the body 5.

Examination of Fig. 3, compared with Fig. 2, reveals the plan of impact operation and adjustment. The adjusting sleeve 6 may be rotated toward the figure ,Lon the body (Fig. 2) until the ends of the adjustment slots'B and 9 engage the retaining pins 2l and 22 (Fig. 3). This rotation of the adjusting sleeve t is accompanied by a negligible outward sliding `action as the retaining pins 2I and 22 pass from the center setting notches to the end setting notches (Fig. 3l. The adjustment toward L removes the guide points I I and I2 from alignment with the drive pin I9. A user may now engage the working blade 23 with a type of screw (not shown), grip the body 5 tightly and strike a blow upon the top (as shown) of the body 5 with the palm of his hand or with some inanimate obj ect. The impact of the blow engages the drive pin i9 with the angular inclines (it and cooperating opposite), causing the point of the working 'blade 23 to iirmly engage the screw and to deliver a rotative loosening impulse to the screw, assuming that the screw has a right hand thread.

Being compressed by the impact. the spring Eli reacts, returning the drive pin i9 to the normal notches 2li and 25. The angular inclines (it and cooper-ating opposite) on the centering sleeve l5 s guide the drive pin' id tothe normal notches 2i) and 225. A cycle of impact operation is completed.

It is apparent that an adjustment toward T (Fig. 2) adjusts the invention ior a tightening impulse when o erated. This is readily seen when drawing is held before a mirror.

In the illustrated construction oi the invention, the imp-act force of the drive pin It against angular inclines of the impact sleeve iii is carried to the body 5 .by abutment of the inward end of the adjusting sleeve with the end ci the cylindrical interior yof the body 5, requiring the retaining pins 2| and 22 to bear 4only the rotative load.

The invention in substance is seen in a plan ci corresponding cooperating angular inclines, involving the four angular inclines on `the impact sleeve l@ being adjustable relative to the drive pin i9 and to the four angular inclines on the centering sleeve i5, to determine the direction of operational rotative impulse. A basic or "half plan of angular inclines is apparent in Fig. 2. A practical method for adjusting the cooperating angular inclines has been disclosed. However,

aside from the basic plan of cooperating angular l inclines and drive pin, other arrangements for adjusting the impact sleeve l t relative to the centering sleeve ii and drive pin I9 may be employed. `Examination of the drawing, for example, reveals that the invention will function if any number of retaining pins as a unit operate relative to any number of adjustment slots as a unit when one or more of the adjustment slots contains a unit of setting notches.

Any fastening means outside of the invention may be used for fixing a screw driver Working blade of any type in the drive piston I8.

Having disclosed a practical design of my invention, and being aware of possible modifications oi the elements thereof, I set forth the following claims:

1. In a reversible impact driving screwdriver, a body having' a cylindrical interior opening therefrom, an impact sleeve carried concentrically within said cylindrical interior of said body, said impact sleeve diminishing symmetrically from two diametrically opposite points thereon to the outward-facing end thereof whereby to comprise four angular inclines and a pair of diametrically opposite guide points, said impact sleeve being manually rotatively adjustable in said body to a limit in either direction and to a normal intermediate point, a Icentering sleeve aligned concentrically with and outwardly from said impact sleeve, said centering sleeve being fixed within said body, said centering sleeve diminishing symmetrically from two diametrlcally opposite points thereon. to the inward-facing end thereof whereby to comprise four angular inclines, a drive piston carried concentrically in .said centering sleeve and said impact sleeve, said drive piston being slidable and rotatable relative to said centering sleeve and said impact sleeve, said drive piston having means thereon for iixing a screwdriver working blade thereto, a compression spring urging said drive piston outwardly from said cen-tering sleeve and said impact sleeve, and a drive pin means carried diametrically through said drive piston and normally engaging a space between the farthest outward-facing end of said impact sleeve and the nearest inward-facing end oi said centering sleeve, whereby said impact sleeve and said centering sleeve function with said :drive pin in a plan of cooperating angular inclines.

2. in a reversible impact driving screwdriver, a body having a. `cylindrical interior .opening therefrom, a tubular adjusting sleeve carried concentrically in and rotatable in said cylindrical interior of said body, saidv adjusting .sleeve having a portion thereof projecting from said body for rotative adjustment by hand, said adjusting sleeve comprising a unit of peripherally extending adjustrnent slots through the wall thereof, an impact sleeve iixed in the inward-acing end of said adjusting sleeve whereby to rotate therewith, said impact sleeve diminishing symmetrically from two diametrically opposite points thereon to the outward-facing end thereof whereby to comprise four angular inclines and a pair of oppositely disposed guide points, a centering sleeve concentrically aligned with said impact sleeve and carried in the outward-facing end of said adjusting sleeve, said centering sleeve being rotatably mounted in relation to said adjusting sleeve, said centering sleeve diminishing symmetrically from two diametrically opposite points there-cn to the inward-facing end thereof whereby to comprise four angular inclines corresponding with the said angular inclines on the outward-facing end of said impact sleeve, a retaining pin unit passing from said body through said adjusting sleeve into said adjustment slot unit through the wall of said adjusting sleeve and engaging said centering sleeve whereby to non-rotatably nx said centering sleeve Within said body, a drive piston concentrically carried in said centering sleeve and said impact sleeve, said drive piston being sldable and rotatable relative to said centering sleeve and said impact sleeve, means for fixing an externally projecting screwdriver working blade element in the said drive piston, a drive pin projecting diametrically through said drive piston and normally engaging a gap between the farthest outwardfacing end of said impact sleeve and the nearest inward-facing end of said centering sleeve, a compression spring urging said drive piston outwardly from said centering sleeve and said impact, sleeve, and means for manual rotative positioning of said adjusting sleeve to an extreme in either direction and to an intermediate point at which said oppositely disposed guide points on said impact sleeve align with said drive pin projecting diametrically through said drive piston.

3. In a reversible impact driving screwdriver, a body having a cylindrical interior opening therefrom, a tubular adjusting sleeve carried concentrically in and rotatable in said cylindrical interior of said body, said adjusting sleeve having a portion thereof projecting from said body for rotative adjustment by hand, said adjusting sleeve comprising a unit of peripherally extending adjustment slots through the wall thereof, said unit of adjustment slots containing a unit of three evenly spaced setting notches on the outwardfacing side thereof, an impact sleeve fixed in the inward-facing end of said adjusting sleeve whereby to rotate therewith, said impact sleeve diminishing symmetrically from two diametrically opposite points thereon to the outwardfacing end thereof whereby to comprise four angular inclines and a pair of diametrically disposed guide points, a centering sleeve concentrically aligned with said impact sleeve and carried in the outward-facing end of said adjusting sleeve, said centering sleeve being rotatably mounted relative to said adjusting sleeve, said centering sleeve diminishing symmetrically from two dlametrically opposite points thereon to the inwardfacing end thereof whereby to comprise four angular inclines corresponding with the said angular inclines on the outward-facing end of said impact sleeve, a retaining pin unit passing from said body through said adjusting sleeve into said adjustment slot unit through the wall of said adjusting sleeve and engaging said centering sleeve whereby to x said centering sleeve within said body, a drive piston concentrically carried in said centering sleeve and said impact sleeve, said drive piston being slidable and rotatable relative to said centering sleeve and said impact sleeve, means on said drive piston for fixing an externally projecting screwdriver working blade element thereto, a drive pin projecting diametrically through said drive piston and normally engaging a gap between the farthest outward-facing end of said impact sleeve and the nearest inwardfacing end of said centering sleeve, and a compression spring compressed between said drive piston and said adjusting sleeve by a base within the inward-facing end of said adjusting sleeve, said compression spring urging said drive piston outwardly and urging said adjusting sleeve inwardly to engage said setting notch unit with said retaining pin unit, whereby a rotative adjustment of said adjusting sleeve engaging the intermediate notch of said setting notch unit with said retaining pin unit aligns said diametrically disposed guide points on said impact sleeve with said drive pin projecting diametrically through said drive piston.

4. A screwdriver, said screwdriver being adjustable 'to transmit an impact upon the body thereof to a rotative impulse of the working blade thereof in either direction of rotation, said screwdriver embodying a combination of elements in the body thereof for operation and adjustment, said combination of elements including: a centering sleeve element comprising inward-facing angular inclines fixed within an open rst end of said body, an impact sleeve element concentrically aligned with said centering sleeve element toward a closed second end of said body. said impact sleeve element comprising outward-facing angular inclines, said impact sleeve element being manually rotatively adjustable relative to said centering sleeve element to a limited degree and to an intermediate point at which the farthest outward-facing end of said impact sleeve element aligns with the nearest inward-facing end of said centering sleeve element, a drive piston element carried slidably and rotatably within said centering sleeve element and said impact sleeve element, said drive piston element being adapted to contain a screwdriver working blade projecting from said first end of said impact sleeve element aligns with the diametrically in said drive piston element and normally engaging a space between the farthest outward-facing end of said impact sleeve element and the nearest inward-facing end of said centering sleeve element, whereby said centering sleeve element and said impact sleeve element operate with said drive pin element in a plan of cooperating angular inclines.

JAMES F. SPIEIMAN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,743,505 Turgeon Jan. 14 1930 2,010,616 Walsh Aug. 6, 1935 2,543,441 Crummey Feb. 27, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 343,400 Italy Sept. 28, 1936 429,810 Italy Feb. 3, 1948 810,739 Germany Aug. 13,l 1951 

